A crack cocaine and heroin dealer caught by undercover police has escaped a jail sentence.

Drug addict Daniel Paramasivan, 27, had been released early on licence from prison when he was ensnared in a police sting dubbed operation capture.

Paramasivan was caught four times making ‘deals’ with an undercover officer, known as Anna, in various locations around Watford between May and June last year.

The defendant, who was living at the Stoneham Housing Association in Queens Road, Watford, pleaded guilty to seven counts of supplying class A drugs.

Opening the case at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday, Heather Shimmen said Paramasivan was a runner for another man, who he refused to name.

Each time ‘Anna’ would ring a number and arrange to meet Paramasivan before handing over cash for the class A drugs.

They would meet at a dirt track behind Watford General Hospital or Whippendell Road and Cassiobury Park, after Anna called the mobile requesting “one of each” or on one occasion one wrap of heroin, handing over about £40 each time.

Paramasivan has 15 previous convictions for burglary, robbery, criminal damage and harassment, but was ready to turn his life around said Geoffrey Birch, defending.

He had managed to stay off drugs while serving a sentence in prison, where drugs are available, but relapsed within weeks of being let out.

Judge Warner agreed not to imprison Paramasivan, who now lives with his sister in London, and imposed a two-year community order.

He said: “Those who supply class A drugs can expect significant custodial sentences. And as someone that has a drug addiction yourself you know the misery and degradation that comes with using class A drugs.

“It is aggravated by the fact they were committed while on licence for serious offences of burglary and robbery for which you had served part of a custodial sentence.

“The report suggests you are somebody that has taken steps to deal with your addiction which lies behind your offending and I have considered your letter in which you say if I give you a chance you won’t let me down.”

Paramasivan will be tested for drugs for a year as part of his rehabilitation and supervision by probation. He must stick to a curfew for four months.

Judge Warner said: “If the order is breached you will be brought back to this court and resentenced for these offences and you can expect a prison sentence considerably in excess of two-and-a-half years.”

Paramasivan’s first review is on April 7.